Rivers looks good, L.T. goes over 10,000 yards

SAN DIEGO -- It had been a while since the San Diego Chargers looked this good.

After a stretch in which they'd faced questions about everything from Philip Rivers' shaky passing to coach Norv Turner's leadership abilities, the Chargers raced past the floundering Baltimore Ravens 32-14 on Sunday.

Rivers quieted the boo-birds and rediscovered Antonio Gates, throwing 2 of his 3 touchdown passes to the All-Pro tight end.

LaDainian Tomlinson didn't find a lot of holes against the Ravens' tough defense but did become the 23rd player in NFL history with more than 10,000 yards rushing.

Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was so fired up that he started into his spasmodic "Lights Out" sack dance after merely tackling Willis McGahee early in the game. Then again, it sure beat getting knocked on his rear end as Merriman had been a week earlier by Maurice Jones-Drew in a loss at Jacksonville.

It was such a laugher in the final minutes that fans were folding giveaway placards into paper airplanes and launching them from the upper decks. Merriman caught one and bowed to the crowd.

"We're coming together. We're ready to rock," said center Nick Hardwick, who returned after missing four starts with a foot injury. "We know what we've got to do to make it to the playoffs and make a good push in the playoffs and we're ready to get started on it."

The Chargers (6-5) won for the fifth time in seven games following their shocking 1-3 start and took over sole possession of first place in the AFC West following Denver's loss to the Bears.

The Ravens (4-7) set a franchise record with their fifth straight loss and tumbled into a last-place tie in the AFC North with Cincinnati. Quarterback Kyle Boller was sacked four times.